Father and Heir-at-Law (from issue 4-16)

Part of issue 4-16 (discussing a land patent issued based upon a surrendered land warrant):

Father and Heir at Law

Harrison Ramsey is styled in the patent as the “Father and heir at Law” of Andrew Ramsey. The reference to Harrison as an heir-at-law of Andrew suggests that Andrew had no children. Heirs-at-law are individuals who inherit from a deceased person based on the rules of intestate succession as defined in contemporary state statute (individuals potentially mentioned in a will are legatees or beneficiaries—not heirs-at-law). Had Andrew had living descendants at the time of his death…